The Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM is Magellan’s most popular model as I write this, and with good reason. It offers an ultra-wide 5” screen, along with lifetime traffic and lifetime map updates, all for a very reasonable price.
Quick links
More Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM reviews
Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM resources
How much does it cost?
Related units
- Drop down to the RoadMate 5045 to get the same feature set, minus the lifetime map updates
- Or choose the Magellan 3045-LM for the same feature set as the 5045-LM, but with a slightly smaller 4.7” screen
- To see how the 5045-LM stacks up against other models, check out my Magellan auto GPS comparison chart
More Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM reviews
- Consumer-authored Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM reviews have been posted at Amazon
- PC Mag gives a “very good” rating in their Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM review
I’ll be posting more hands on GPS reviews as they appear, but in the meantime, here are some…
Other Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM resources
- The Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM owners manual
- A Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM FAQ
- To see how the 5045-LM stacks up against other models, check out my Magellan auto GPS comparison chart or try Magellan’s own comparison tool
- There is a Magellan RoadMate message forum at GpsPasSion
- There is also a Magellan RoadMate forum at GPSReview.net
- The official Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM web page
Compare prices on the Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM at these merchants:
- Check the current Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Maps and Traffic price at Amazon
- Find the Magellan RoadMate 5045-LM GPS at BestBuy.com
It took me 4 units before I got a 5045Lm that would not lock up. Since then they have changed the software and the map supplier. Except for the occasionally wacky directions, this is a good unit.
MY 5045-lm is very bad in the city, when on divided highways it keeps saying KEEP RIGHT OF THE FORK when there is no fork in the highway. It says that every time there is a U turn with multiple lanes.
Have you updated the firmware and maps?
Don’t waste your money!
I’ve been very displeased with the Magellan Roadmate 5045-LM (The LM stands for Lifetime Maps updates).
For instance, the voice will say “take a RIGHT turn” while the arrow on the map shows a LEFT turn (left turn is correct).
I’ve had instances where the Magellan will tell me to go to the end of the block and make a U-turn to get to a business that has an entrance immediately on my left!
It constantly will announce “You have arrived at your destination” about forty feet past my actual destination.
I just learned that their supposed “Lifetime” map updates are only available for four years, then they expect you to begin purchasing the map updates. I cannot find the cost of the updates anywhere and don’t plan on purchasing one anyhow!
I refuse to put any more money into this piece of junk, I’ve only stuck with it after my initial investment because of the “Lifetime” map updates.
I’ll be researching other brands of GPS units, but NEVER another Magellan product.
Just as a random aside, “Lifetime Map Updates” generally refers to the expected life of the unit, not forever. I’m not sure I agree with it, but that is written in the fine print.
If you think any GPS is perfect,You’re wrong. Everything you have said here is very minor. No GPS will have you turn left across a major street. My garmin does this u-turn thing also. When it says that,you know your destination is on the left. 40 ft would be in the margin of error. That’s very close. If it’s a piece of junk because of these things you have mentioned,then in my opinion you are very unreasonable. No mention of crashes or getting you lost. It sounds like a good unit to me. The voice being wrong some times is going to happen. My Garmin tells me I have arrived a half block from my house. As far as the 4 years on the maps. It probably was in the fine print. Bottom line. Everything you mention here is very minor. You have a good unit.
I’m amazed at your defense of an inferior product. My previous GPS unit was a Mio which was an excellent unit and I didn’t have any of these problems. Unfortunately it eventually died of old age. By the way, Elvis is dead.